ESPN and Star Sports have gone off the air in China after the authorities refused to renew their permits last week. They were the only channels among a group of foreign nets not to be reupped by China's State Administration for Radio, Film and Television. No reason was given for the refusal.

Clearly, this is a direct reaction protesting the removal of "Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith" from the network. Perhaps if they agree to bring back "Teammates," China will reconsider.